The longitudinal simulated patient program: evaluations by teachers and students and feasibility.
OBJECTIVE
Simulated patients (SPs) are mostly used in single-case encounters. However, for chronic care training longitudinal patient encounters are more suitable. Evaluations of students and teachers regarding a new, longitudinal SP program were explored and compared to the single-case SP program. Furthermore, the feasibility of the program was explored.


METHODS
Year 3 students participating in the longitudinal SP program (N=272) had four encounters with the same SP portraying a chronic health problem in eight months. Student evaluations regarding the longitudinal SP program were assessed with a validated questionnaire (the MaSP) and both teachers and students completed another questionnaire on their views.


RESULTS
In general, students and teachers were positive about the longitudinal SP program. We found no differences between student evaluations regarding the longitudinal SP program and those regarding the single-case SP program. The longitudinal SP program appeared not to be feasible because of uncooperative faculty staff and the workload.


CONCLUSIONS
Students consider the longitudinal SP program as good as the single-case SP program. In its current form the longitudinal SP program appeared not to be feasible. Further research is needed in our search for an instructive, enjoyable and feasible SP program to teach students about continuity of care.
Bokken
Lonneke
L
University of Maastricht, the Netherlands. L.Bokken@EDUC.unimaas.nl
Linssen
Tim
T
Scherpbier
Albert
A
van der Vleuten
Cees
C
Rethans
Jan-Joost
JJ
D005180:Faculty, Medical; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D009426:Netherlands; D016544:Patient Simulation; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013337:Students, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires